Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

This chapter presents a summary of related studies which has shown

similar result considered relevant to the research. The evaluation was

undertaken to gain further insights and lend support to the present study.

Structural Behavior of Interlocking Blocks

In the study conducted in California, the interlocking compressed earth

block walls were tested its seismic behavior and its flexure dominated. The test

result shows that the flexure dominated ICEB walls can exhibit stable until a

ductile failure occurs. [2]

In conclusion, the ductility of the wall increase as the

height-to-width ratio increases, and the strength of the ICEB will improve with a

flange.

In a research conducted in the Tunis, Tunisia, they test the compressive

strength of the Stabilized Earth Blocks that are laid dry without grout mortar. As

a result of the study conducted, the compressive strength decreases because it

has an effect on the contact area and the clearance between the blocks. [3]

Therefore, they used a finite element method (FEM) can emphasize the impact of

the local stress on the macroscopic compressive behavior of the masonry.

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Figure 2.1 Compressed Earth Blocks Wall [17]

Walling System

As stated by the researchers of the Dubai, United Arab Emirates, we can

use an innovative way to develop a new construction component without a

settling mortar, with a perfectly fitting system. They used three soil-cement

mixtures were undergone a compressive strength test, water absorption, and

sizing. As a result of the experiment, only water absorption fails. [5]

Therefore,

future researchers may work on the improvement of the mixture composition.

In the study conducted in Ghana, a comparative study using an

interlocking block system and concrete sand blocks were made. The result

statistically showed that using the interlocking blocks eliminated the use of some

admixtures, making it cheaper, and in terms of the construction process, it is

faster than the concrete sand blocks. The result of the compressive strength of

the two samples has no difference. [8]

Therefore, it is more convenient, cheaper,

and faster to use interlocking hollow blocks than the concrete sand blocks.

According to the study conducted in Malaysia about the water-resistance

of the interlocking block wall, water absorbed by a block will make it weaker. To

identify the water-resistance of the interlocking block wall, they use a different

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Crushed Glass
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sample that are block wall with mortar as infill, block wall added with grout

around the block, and traditional block wall. The block wall with grout around the

block is the best water resistance among the three samples. [6]
It can conclude

that the assembly of the interlocking block can affect the time for the water to

went through the wall.

Figure 2.2 Mortarless Walling System [18]

Development of Interlocking Blocks

According to the study conducted in India, aluminum hydroxide and

granite waste are added to cement as a stabilizer. Because of the waste problem

about aluminum hydroxide, they came up with proposing this study that can

lessen the pollution to the environment. [11]

Therefore, using the materials above,

it can produce a cement stabilized masonry interlocking blocks. Furthermore,

studies can be made to the mixture to attain good strength.

In the study conducted in Malaysia, they sought to search for a new

building technique that may result in an even higher economy, more efficient,

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Crushed Glass
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and durable as an alternative for the conventional brick. Several developed and

implemented in building constructions and several types of research had studied

the manufacturing of interlocking brick and its structural behavior as load-

bearing and non-load bearing elements. [1]

Hence, the idea of interlocking block

system has been trendy as a substitute for the traditional system where it has

been used either as a non-load bearing or load-bearing masonry system.

Figure 2.3 Different Design of Interlocking Blocks [21] [22] [27]

According to the study conducted in India, interlocking masonry blocks are

20% higher in compressive strength than the conventional masonry blocks and

40% higher on bricks. In terms of aligning and laying the blocks, it is convenient,

so it reduces the number of high wage skilled masons. It can be a load-bearing

wall because it increased the strength of 30% when it infilled with mortar. [7]

Therefore, interlocking blocks can be so useful from single to multi-story

construction.

Analysis of Materials Used as Substitute to Aggregate

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Crushed Glass
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In the study conducted in Aukland, the use of pelletized cut rubber as an

alternative coarse aggregate for concrete mixture could lower the cost of

production. He uses rubber tires that cannot be used by vehicles or re-threaded

anymore. [10]
Therefore, it is more beneficial to use the pelletized cut rubber than

the conventional aggregate; it is eco-friendly and cheaper.

In this study conducted in Aukland, they focus on developing hollow

concrete blocks using coconut shells and fibers as a substitute to coarse

aggregates. According to the test result, it is a non-load bearing type of hollow

blocks because the compressive strength is higher than the usual hollow blocks

after the 28 days of curing, the good indicator as an aggregate of hollow

concrete blocks are particles, shape, and texture, resistance to crushing,

absorption and surface moisture, grading, resistance to freezing and heating,

and light-weight. [9]

Thus, coconut shells and fibers are acceptable as a partial

substitute to coarse aggregate for hollow concrete blocks.

In the study conducted in Singapore, National University stated that the

substitution of refining glass as sand had shown no significant influence on the

mechanical properties of concrete. Because of the negligible water absorption of

the glass sand, the drying shrinkage was reduced. [4]

In conclusion, using glass

sand has no harmful effect on substituting it on conventional aggregates

according to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) test, but using admixtures like fly ash and

slag can improve its durability.

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Crushed Glass
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Figure 2.4 Coconut Shell as

Coarse Aggregate [24]

Comparative Study of Interlocking Concrete Blocks Using Standard Aggregates and

Crushed Glass